Took a trip up north to Hastings, Minnesota to hunt Spring Lake on the Mississippi with my cousin Greg. Hubbard met us up there also, and we had an awesome time. We hunted Sunday, Nov. 16 to Friday, Nov. 21. The week started strong, but slowed down. I shot a banded goose on Monday — my first band! Unfortunately, no one had a camera handy, so I have zero pictures. I guess it’s incentive to go do it again next year hopefully!

Here’s a quick recap of the week. The afternoon hunts were better than the mornings, but we had to stop early on a couple of days because Greg had pipefitter school to go to.

Sunday: 7 mallards — 2 hunters (JV, GV)
Monday: 12 mallards, 4 geese (1 banded), 1 very special merganzer — 3 hunters (JV, GV, DH)
Tuesday: 8 mallards — 3 hunters (quit early)
Wednesday: 5 mallards — 3 hunters
Thursday: 2 mallards — 3 hunters (quit early)
Friday: 4 geese — 2 hunters (GV, DH)

Jessie worked her tail off hunting most the days. She was so tired that we brought Max a couple of times instead of her.

I’m already looking forward to the next trip up there! Maybe a little fishing this summer …